Australians slammed over $1300 illegal beach act

Fury has been sparked after images were posted on social media showing a group of beachgoers getting up close with a seal.

Fury has been sparked on social media after images were posted showing the moment a group of beachgoers approached a seal.

The mammal was sunning itself on Maroubra Beach’s north end in Sydney when approximately a dozen people came within metres of it on the rocks, according to a post by a shocked local on Facebook.

The local who captured the image said he took the snap from far away and used a zoom lens.

“People are getting way too close, some almost touching it,” he warned in the caption. “It’s intimidating, and it can attack.”

Rules forbid people from getting too close to seals who venture ashore, with a legal distance set out in the Biodiversity Conservation Regulation 2017, including a minimum of 80 metres for seal pups.

A group of beachgoers were slammed over this act. Picture: Barry Ion/Facebook

Those who fail to obey the law face fines $1320 for individuals and $3300 for commercial operations.

“Approach distances for seals are based on where the seal is located and if a pup is present. A seal is considered a pup if it is up to half the length of the adult,” the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service said.

“If a seal comes towards you, you must move back to the minimum approach distance.

“Seals are very agile and can move fast on land, using all four limbs to run.

“When a seal is hauled out on the land you must keep at least 40 metres away from the seal, 80 metres away from a seal pup and 100 metres away from the seal for a drone.”

It said that seals can often come ashore after foraging at sea.

“Seals can often have injuries that look quite alarming but will heal well without needing veterinary assistance.”

The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA) also posted a recent updated urging members of the public to keep away from seals, saying there is an increase in their numbers.

“ORRCA are responding to a high number of seals coming ashore due to the current extreme rough ocean conditions,” the organisation said.

A group of beachgoers were slammed over this act. Picture: Barry Ion/Facebook

“We are monitoring seals from the South Coast to Northern NSW. We ask that especially during the next few days, if you are out near the ocean, please keep a lookout for any seals. “They may be tucked away in rocks or on beaches. But please do not go anywhere that may put yourself in any danger.

“It is normal during these rough conditions for seals to come to shore to rest. In some cases they may be injured and may require ongoing monitoring. We have ORRCA rescue members assisting around the clock and appreciate all calls to our 24/7 Rescue Hotline relating to any seal sightings.

“If you see a seal or hear about one that has been sighted, please call our Rescue Hotline:

[phone].”

They issued this reminder as well: “All seals are protected in Australian waters and exclusion zones of 40 metres for an adult seal and 80 metres for a seal pup exist. Penalties apply for breaching those distances.”

Many social media users were horrified at the images, unable to comprehend that people would encroach on the mammal’s space in such a way.

“Poor thing must be terrified,” one stunned beachgoer wrote.

“Bloody humans can’t help themselves,” a second astounded commenter wrote. “Stay away! Let the animal be in its natural environment! Go to the zoo if ya wanna get up close and personal with a seal.”

Another pondered: “Why are people so stupid?”.

While others were familiar with the sight of seals on Sydney beaches.

“We get them at Kurnell too, but sometimes they get out of the tidal zone and hang in the scrub. They jump out at the rangers sometimes and scare the s**t out of them, treat them with respect they can get aggressive.